Page 137 of Hunter

I had put it back, scared I might accidentally take off the safety or something.

I let my hand shift through his sock drawers, going under it when a voice spoke behind me, sending shivers up my spine.

“Did you find what you were looking for?”

25

RYLEIGH

I jumpedabout a foot in the air and turned around to an impassive-looking Xavier.

He was standing by the door, his arms crossed over his chest, and I swallowed, trying not to show my fear.

He wouldn’t hurt me.

I had to believe that, otherwise, I wouldn’t be in a relationship with him in the first place, but I had been doing something wrong, and he’d caught me.

“You’re home early,” was all I managed to say.

“Had a couple of the guys take over for me. I wanted to come home to you.”

“Right,” was my response.

“What are you looking for?” he asked, coming closer to me. I tilted my head back to look him in the eye.

I swallowed and licked my parched lips before answering, “Nothing.”

We didn’t say anything for a moment.

I tilted my chin up stubbornly, daring him to call me out on lying so that I could call him out as well.

But his face remained impassive. At this point, even a rock couldn’t crack it.

Then he let out a small sigh and wrapped his arms around my waist, holding me close to him.

“Let’s just go to sleep. I’ve had a long day, yeah?” he asked softly.

A part of me was disappointed he didn’t take me up on my challenge. The other part was just glad.

Perhaps I wasn’t ready to learn all of his secrets… right?

I nodded. “Okay.”

So that was what we did.

We got ready for bed, and Xavier pulled me close in his arms when we finally climbed into bed together.

He kissed me softly on my lips before turning off the light and spooning me from behind.

I stayed wide awake, even when I felt his arms relaxing around me and his breath evening out to indicate he had fallen asleep.

I didn’t know what I was supposed to do, but burying my head in the sand was no longer an option.

I had fallen in love with Xavier.

And I was so fucking scared it might just be the biggest mistake of my life.

I looked off to the side when something flashing caught my attention.

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